Daily Readings…

Tuesday, April 3

tlcmonroeville121

heisrisenRead:
Exodus 17
Psalm 84
Romans 13:1-14

Moses was a leader chosen by God. He didn’t lead of his own accord, but did and said as God told him. The people were difficult: they quarreled, they complained, they wouldn’t listen to Moses. But Moses listened to God and did and said as God told him.

In Romans we learn that God has given authority to those who govern over us and that no one has authority over us except as God gives it. God knows the big picture, we do not.

Do you quarrel and complain about the leaders God has put over you, or do you remember that God is in control? He is the God of peace. He asks us to love our neighbors as ourself. Do you humble yourself and live in peace and love?

April 2, Monday

tlcmonroeville121

heisrisenRead:
Exodus 16:17-36
Psalm 83
Romans 12:1-21

Moses instructed the people to gather the amount of manna that they needed, but to not keep any until morning. This seems like a simple instruction. But, some people kept some overnight and it rotted. The day before the Sabbath, they were to gather enough for two days. Again, some didn’t listen and went out on the Sabbath to gather manna, but it wasn’t there.

God gives us clear and simple instructions. Why do we sometimes refuse to listen, wanting to do things our own way? If we listen to our Lord and renew our minds by studying his word, we can discern his will, we can discover what is good and acceptable and perfect in his eye. Are you ready to follow his instructions?

April 1, Easter Sunday

tlcmonroeville121

heisrisenRead:
Exodus 15:1-11
Psalm 118
1 Corinthians 5:6-8
John 20:1-18

Are you ready to celebrate the Lord? He asks us to clear out the evil and malice and come to him as unleavened bread. Let us celebrate, not with old yeast.

When Mary discovered that Jesus was not in the tomb, she told the disciples. They discovered that the Lord was not in the tomb. Are you ready to celebrate the Lord? Have you allow Christ to wash away the evil and malice in your heart so that you can come to him as unleavened bread?

Saturday, March 31

tlcmonroeville121

threecrossesangledRead:
Exodus 15:22-16:16
Psalm 82
Romans 11:25-36

After all God had done for the people, they still complained. God even provided drinking water, bread and meat in the desert. He only asked that they listen carefully to the voice of the Lord our God, do what is right in his sight, listen and follow his commandments.

When we couldn’t keep all of the commandments he sent Jesus to forgive our sins. Romans tells us that the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable (they can’t be taken back). God loves us and wants us to listen.

Are you listening? Are you trying to do what is right in God’s sight? Do you go to him and repent when you mess up?

March 30, Good Friday

tlcmonroeville121

threecrossesRead:
Isaiah 53
Psalm 22
Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9
John 19:17-30

Did you notice the description of Jesus and his trial, pain and death in the Old Testament? This was written in detail by a prophet of God before Jesus was even born. The prophecy came true, and Jesus was crucified and suffered and died, matching in every detail, the prophecy. In his death, he became not only our King, but also our High Priest.

Can you trust that Jesus died for you? Do you remember that he sits on the throne in heaven and intercedes for you, as a priest would?

Thursday, March 29

tlcmonroeville121

threecrosses

Today is Maundy Thursday,
the day of our Lord’s
Last Supper. 

Read:
Exodus 24:3-11
Psalm 116
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Mark 14:12-26

In the Old Testament, after receiving the commandments from God, Moses took the blood from the sacrifice and dashed half against the altar and left half in the basins.

In the New Testament, Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples, blessing the bread and breaking it, saying that this was his body broken for them. Then, after blessing the wine, they all drank from the cup which Jesus said was the blood of the covenant poured out for all who believe. Christ mentions that he will never again drink from the vine until he shares it with us in the new kingdom of God.

Read from Luther’s Small Catechism to understand what Holy Communion is all about:

The Definition & Command of Communion
What is Holy Communion?
Communion is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, given to us Christians to eat and drink, as it was instituted by Christ himself.

Where is this written?
Matthew, Mark, Luke and Paul say:
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying: “Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

 

The Promise of Communion
What is the benefit of such eating and drinking?
It is pointed out in these words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” Through these words the forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation are given to us in the Sacrament, for where there is forgiveness of sin, there is also life and salvation.

The Means of Communion
How can bodily eating and drinking produce such great benefits?
It is not the eating and drinking alone, but also the words that accompany it, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”

These words, together with the eating and drinking, are the chief thing in the Sacrament, and those who believe them have what they say and declare, namely, the forgiveness of sins.

 

Preparation for Communion
When is a person worthy to receive the Sacrament?

Fasting and other outward disciplines are indeed good preparation, but people are truly worthy and well prepared who believe these words, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”
But those who do not believe these words or who doubt them are unworthy and unprepared, for the words “for you” require truly believing hearts.

 

Wednesday, March 28

tlcmonroeville121

lentpurpleRead:
Exodus 15:1-21
Psalm 81
Romans 11:11-24

The Lord so wants his children to hear his voice. He gives us the Bible so that those before us can testify to his mighty works. We read about his parting the Red Sea and freeing the Israelites from slavery to the Egyptians. We read about how joyous his people were because of all he had done.

In your prayers, do you take time to remember what God has done? Are you joyous and praise his name? Do you take time to listen for his voice?